United Democracies of America would like to inform all interested parties
that the Congressional Human Rights Caucus will hold a hearing on the human
rights situation in Venezuela. Thursday, April 22, 2004, 11:30AM - 1PM,
Rayburn Office Building, 2200. The briefing will be hosted by Rep.Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen.
United Democracies of America informa a todos los interesados que el Comite
de Derechos Humanos del Congreso de los EEUU, tendra una audiencia sobre el tema de la violacion de los Derechos Humanos en Venezuela. Dicha audiencia
se sostendra el 22 de Abril, 2004, 11:30 AM-1:PM, Raybunr Office Building,
2200. La audiencia es auspiciada por la Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Hola todos, la CIV de Washington, conjuntamente con otros venezolanos en los Estados Unidos, ha venido denunciando desde hace mas de año la situación de los derechos humanos en Venezuela y tomando contacto con el Congreso de los Estados Unidos; esos esfuerzos han cristalizado finalmente y el día de mañana, jueves 22 de abril habrá un reunión del Congressional Human Rights Caucus sobre la situación de los derechos humanos en Venezuela. La reunión será entre las 11:30Am – 1PM en el Rayburn 2200 (entrada por Independence Ave). Un grupo de venezolanos estará presente en esa importante reunión para respaldar los derechos humanos en Venezuela y a los venezolanos que darán testimonio: el ex diplomático Víctor Rodríguez Cedeño y el músico Carlos Eduardo Izcaray.Más abajo esta el anuncio que esta circulando la CIV en los Estados Unidos, especialmente en la Ciudad de Washington, y a continuación la invitación oficial a los Congresantes Norteamericanos. SaludosIsmael Pérez Vigil
The Coordinadora Internacional Venezolana would like to inform all interested parties that the Congressional Human Rights Caucus will hold a hearing on the human rights situation in Venezuela. Thursday, April 22, 2004, 11:30AM – 1PM, Rayburn Office Building, 2200. The briefing will be hosted by Rep.Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
We encourage all parties interested in Venezuela to attend.
Congressional Human Rights Caucus
Members' Briefing
Venezuela:
A Human Rights Update
Thursday, April 22, 2004
11:30 a.m. - 1p.m.
2200 Rayburn House Office Building
Dear Colleague:
You are invited to join the Congressional Human Rights Caucus for a Members' briefing on the human rights situation in Venezuela.
The briefing will be hosted by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Venezuela is torn by political instability and dissension which threaten to undermine the legal protections as stated in its new Constitution against human rights violations. The new Constitution includes several positive aspects, notably expanded legal protections for personal safety and integrity, and a provision giving constitutional rank to human rights treaties. In theory, Venezuela's Constitution protects against such things as torture, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrest and detention, and provides for the freedom of speech, press and religion.
According to the State Department's 2003 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the government of Venezuela still does not provide for consistently implemented laws that respond to human rights violations. Extrajudicial killings, serious delays in prosecutions of human rights violations, death squads, torture and abuse of detainees, little or no tolerance for government protestors, corruption within the civilian judicial system and serious restrictions upon the freedoms of speech and press are reported by the State Department. Women, children, people with disabilities and indigenous persons especially often bear the brunt of human rights violations by physical violence and discrimination according to the Country Report.
In a public statement in February 2004, Amnesty International reported its concern regarding attacks against human rights organizations in the country. On August 27, 2003, human rights worker Joe Luis Castillo of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees was killed by 11 rounds of bullets as he was driving with his family near their home. According to the State Department's Report, an investigation is under way but to date no one has been arrested in connection with this heinous crime.
To report on the latest developments, we welcome the following as expert witnesses:
Panel I:
Robert Jackson, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State
Panel II:
John Walsh, Senior Associate for the Andes and Drug Policy, Washington Office on Latin America
Eric Olson, Americas Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA
Panel III:
Carlos Eduardo Izcaray, Professional musician and former prisoner of conscience in Venezuela
Victor Rodriguez CedeZo, Former Venezuelan Ambassador to UNHCR
We look forward to seeing you at this important briefing. For further information, please contact Fred Ratliff (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen) at x5-3931, Samantha Stockman (Rep. Wolf) at x5-5136 or Maryamu Aminu (Rep. Lantos) at x5-3531.
Sincerely,
Tom Lantos, M.C. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen M.C. Frank R. Wolf
Co-Chair, CHRC Member, CHRC Co-Chair, CHRC